Schweitzer reports record snowfall

SANDPOINT — Schweitzer is reporting a record snowpack at the mountain resort.

More than 180 inches of snow has fallen at the resort this season, allowing it to open all 2,900 acres. The resort said the depth of the snow is 77 in the village and 109 inches on the summit.

Snow report records dating back to the 1982-’83 season indicate this season has the deepest early-season snowpack on record.

“Simply put, it feels like February,” said Schweitzer Ski Patrol Director Arlene Cook, who has been patrolling at Schweitzer for 30 years and can’t remember such a bountiful December. “When you can’t count the number of powder days you’ve had in December, you know it’s been a good season.”

Schweitzer officials said the resort is currently enjoying some of the best conditions in the nation.

Vaunted resorts such as Vail and Aspen Mountain reported having about 2 feet of base on Monday, while Big Sky Resort in Montana reported a base of about 38 inches. Utah’s Snowbird resort reported having 68 inches on Monday, while Heavenly Resort at California’s Lake Tahoe had 42 inches.

Schweitzer said it’s tracking eclipse its average annual snowfall of 300 inches.

“To see 180 inches this early in the season is extraordinary,” said Schweitzer Marketing and Sales Director Dave Kulis. “We are happy to be able to offer midwinter conditions this early on in the year. We are also excited to have these conditions entering this new year!”

Daily snow reports at Schweitzer began during the 1976-’77 season, but they didn’t include summit or snow depths until the 1983-’84 season. Daily year-to-date snow totals weren’t calculated until the 2001-’02 season.